The male Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This video shows the great views we had of this bird. PhoneSkope video by guide Marcelo Barreiros.

Having just said our good-byes to the first “Rio Negro Paradise: Manaus” tour group, Marcelo and I had a day to rest up before receiving our second group, ready for another exciting and educational journey, perhaps better-said, “voyage”, through this beautiful, central sector of the Amazon basin. Our opening stroll around the grounds of the stately Tropical Hotel served to introduce numerous common, widespread species that would be familiar companions on many days of the tour, and also produced great views of Variable Chachalaca and Golden-spangled Piculet, both of which are much less frequently sighted. We usually encounter a sloth or two around the forest patch behind the hotel, but we dipped on them this time. After an early but well-appointed breakfast next morning, we were off to the famous Adolfo Ducke Reserve, on the northeast corner of Manaus. We started there with a fine pair of Point-tailed Palm-creepers, certainly one of the most distinctive members of the huge Ovenbird (Furnariidae) family. Soon, Red-bellied Macaws began to pass in small groups, and yelping (White-throated) and croaking (Channel-billed) toucans started sounding off from the forest canopy while both Green and Black-necked aracaris posed for scope views. Just a short distance into the reserve we were treated to a really superb view of a pair of Red-billed Woodcreepers, followed by a pair of Black-spotted Barbets, some perched Red-fan Parrots, Fasciated Antshrike, and an Amazonian Pygmy-Owl being mobbed by a Black-eared Fairy and a White-chinned Sapphire, a Tiny Tyrant-Manakin, and a female White-fronted Manakin. Further down the track, we hit a nice mixed-species canopy flock with a very cooperative Guianan Woodcreeper, Spot-backed Antwren, Mouse-colored Antshrike, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, and a pair of Pink-throated Becards. But tops that morning was a prolonged scope study of a young male Harpy Eagle, the same bird we had seen on the first tour.

Our next major venue was the famous INPA research tower, about two hours north of Manaus. We transferred to fairly comfy 4-WD vehicles to make the trip into the tower on a bumpy dirt road, thankful that it was dry and actually in pretty good shape, relative to how it’s been on many previous tours. We had a picnic breakfast at the parking area and scurried down the path and up the (how may is it… 142?) steps to greet the dawning of the day 47 meters (about 150 feet) above the forest floor. It was a gorgeous, birdy morning indeed, highlighted by a fruiting tree that attracted a non-stop parade of birds. We kept an eye on that tree all morning, getting great scope views of Guianan Toucanet and several toucans, Pompadour and Spangled cotingas, and Dusky Parrot, especially. Flock action was good as well, and we eventually tallied Waved and Golden-collared woodpeckers, Curve-billed Scythebill, Ash-winged Antwren, Olive-green Tyrannulet, Guianan Tyrannulet, Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, Yellow-throated Flycatcher, and a male Glossy-backed Becard, along with Red-billed Pied-Tanager and numerous other tanagers, dacnis, and honeycreepers. Guianan and Pied puffbirds, and several Paradise Jacamars also showed beautifully.

After demolishing a fabulous lunch spread in the little town of Presidente Figueiredo, we moved into our home for the next four nights, at Mari Mari. Marcelo and I quickly checked the fruiting acai palms around the lodge dining area, to see if they were still attracting lots of birds, as they had been a couple of weeks earlier, on our first tour. Great news – there was still a lot of fruit and a fine variety of birds! After a little rest, we gathered the group there and the fun started all over again, with four species of toucans, Guianan Cocks-of the Rock of all ages and both sexes, multiple Purple-breasted and Spangled cotingas, Sulphury Flycatchers, saltators and other birds zipping in and out of those trees. Even an immature male Guianan Red-Cotinga showed up for a few minutes. A bit later, we entered the forest proper, where there is an impressive lek of Guianan Cocks-of-the-Rock. The afternoon show was spectacular, as usual, with several males sitting around and doing a little displaying and posturing as we watched, only a few yards away. Also there was a Rufous Nightjar with a recently hatched chick. It must have been sitting on the nest nearby, motionless, incubating its eggs, when we were there on the first tour.

Over the course of the next three days, we birded several forest trails around Presidente Figueiredo, including tall, undisturbed rainforest, lower stature “campinarana” forest, and also the “campina” scrub that the campinarana surrounds. The area is famous for its remarkably pure, blackwater streams and sandstone grottos, and we enjoyed seeing lots of birds and mammals there. There was no sign of the Black-faced Hawk that had graced our bin’s on the first tour, nor the handsome Chestnut-belted Gnateater we had seen, but we were compensated by good views of Guianan Red-Cotinga and Capuchinbird, both of which had been heard only before. Musician Wren performed famously (such a great bird!), as did Rufous-tailed Xenops and Ferruginous-backed Antbird. Spotted Puffbird came quite easily (and close!), but Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant and Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin took some special effort before they provided good views. It also took a while to get a scope on a male Crimson Topaz at our traditional patch of Isertia trees, but we finally did see a male well. Or, we thought it had been a good view until early the next morning, when we found two males feeding on flying gnats over a stream as the sun was rising, perfectly lighting them up as they chased each other around – that was a real WOW! A Green-tailed Goldenthroat paused for nice views, and Blue-and-yellow Macaws winged by in perfect light. Then, as we prepared to enter a campinarana forest trail, we heard a very distant song we had prayed might fall on our ears: a White-naped Seedeater! This rare finch-like tanager (as it is currently classified) has been very spotty in recent years, with most tours failing to see it. This particular morning, the bird was singing up a storm, and we even watched him chase a female out of sight (at least 2 km straight-line, and rising high above the trees) only to come roaring back to his same patch, right in front of us. We enjoyed superb studies of Bronzy Jacamars and had pretty nice looks at Black Manakin and Rufous-crowned Elaenia. We managed to coax a shy Campinarana Flycatcher into view (Cnemotriccus fuscatus duidae, sure to be officially split from the Fuscous Flycatcher complex), but had no luck with Pale-bellied Mourner. One of the more spectacular mammal encounters we have had on recent tours involved about seven Monk Sakis which, at first, seemed to be performing their usual disappearing act, but which then settled down to begin a prolonged allopreening session (check out the video, below!), some of which Marcelo broadcast live via his Instagram account!

One afternoon, we took the group to a side-road where we had found a male Crimson Fruitcrow on the first tour. Our plan was to stay late and do some owling. Well, we ended up staying late, alright, just not for owling! After we had gone in a few kilometers, a thunderstorm with high, gusty winds came roaring through the forest and toppled a large tree across the road, completely blocking our exit to the highway. We discovered this on our way out, as rain was thundering down, and had to shift quickly to (non-existent) “Plan B” – which evolved into turning back around to continue down that treacherously slippery mud road where we could hope to find a house where someone might be home, and might have a chainsaw because trees must fall across the road now and then, and then might have gas for the chainsaw… in sum, it was not looking good for us making it out of there that night. Quite honestly, I’m amazed that we did – but, sure enough, the rain let up, we were able to drive in (and back out!) on that messy road, far enough to reach a house, and, after talking with some people there, we found a guy with a chainsaw and plenty of gas for it. He soon arrived on the scene via motorcycle, with his young daughter who had insisted on accompanying him for this adventure with a bunch of gringos. It took over an hour to clear the road of that big tree, which was nearly two feet in diameter. We were greatly relieved, of course, and we compensated the fellow well for his tremendous job, but we asked that he follow along toward the highway, just in case we might need his help again… and, yikes!, we soon came to another tree across the road! Fortunately, this one was smaller, only about 8” in diameter, but it was tangled with branches and vines, and it took another hour to get it out of the way enough to squeeze our van through. We finally made it back to the paved highway about 8:00 p.m., very thankful for the helpful hand we had received from our new friend. Check out the video clips at the end of the list ;-). We did manage to get back there to try some owling on our last evening before getting on the boat, and scored a nice Black-banded Owl.

Our four days at Presidente Figueiredo had been great, but now it was time for the boat! Back in Manaus, we found the beautiful Dorinha waiting for us at the Tropical Hotel dock and eagerly descended the steps to go aboard and settle into our rooms. We met our guide for this exciting week on the rivers, Rafael, who later gave us an orientation session covering amenities of the Dorinha and safety procedures. We also had a meet-and-greet with the seven-person crew, which was fun, and very soon we had the bow pointed upriver, toward Anavilhanas National Park. After a jovial checklist/happy hour session and a wonderful dinner that evening, we made a night-lighting excursion a short distance up a small tributary of the Negro in the two long, wooden “canoes” we would use for all of our landings at birding sites. You never know what you might find along these little waterways, but it’s invariably interesting to snoop around at night out there. The water was a good four feet lower than it had been a couple of weeks earlier, on the first Manaus tour. It was a lovely, calm evening as we glided along, spotting a Gladiator Treefrog and a couple of Marine Toads, but not much else. Then, we heard a Crested Owl on a side-branch of the stream, and managed to get the canoes far enough into the area to call it into view – yaHOO! It was getting late and we’d had a big day already, so we called it good and headed back to the Dorinha, spotting a couple of roosting Band-tailed Nighthawks along the way.

Deep in the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the pre-dawn darkness of 23 September found us piling into the canoes for another spot-lighting adventure, the targets this time being Spectacled Owl and both of the species of Band-tailed Nighthawks (which, at present, are considered subspecies of a single species). It looked grim for actually seeing the Spec, which was calling persistently from trees not far back from the river edge, but we eventually maneuvered the canoes sufficiently to get the light on one of the pair, which was great. And sure enough, both of the band-tails were present, responding vigorously each to his own vocalization, cutting circles around the canoes as I gave them appropriate, species-specific playbacks. As I explained to everyone later, the taxonomic/nomenclatural issue attending this case is complex, and is going to require just a little more judicious field work to nail down definitively. We gathered on the top deck for breakfast as the sun was rising through the trees. There were pairs and trios of Festive Parrots on all sides, Crestless Curassows boomed in the still-dark forest (we were not fortunate enough to get to see one), and woodcreepers and antbirds of several species contributed to the dawn chorus. Soon we were back in the canoes and headed off to a trailhead where the crew had just made us a set of mud steps up to the flat terrace where we would walk into the forest. “As advertised”, the Wire-tailed Manakins were there and showing their stuff – what a fabulous bird it is! It was a great start to that morning, which, over the next 2-3 hours, produced a fine assemblage of river-island specialties, such as Blackish-gray Antshrike, Black-crested Antshrike, Ash-breasted Antbird, Black-chinned Antbird, Klages’s Antwren, Leaden Antwren, Streak-throated Hermit and Blue-chinned Sapphire, Snethlage’s Tody-Tyrant, and Long-billed, Straight-billed, Zimmer’s and Striped woodcreepers! Scale-breasted and Crimson-crested woodpeckers also showed nicely.

That afternoon we stopped at the ship-building town of Novo Airão, where there is a floating dock which serves as a feeding station for Amazon River Dolphins (Pink River Dolphin, Inia geoffrensis). The locals started feeding some of the “botos” there nearly 20 years ago, and now there are about 15 individuals which have become accustomed to these feedings at certain hours on 3-4 days a week. We were fortunate to get to participate in that afternoon’s feeding session, and even to get to touch the “beaks” of some of the animals. This initiative has become an important factor in the conservation of the dolphins, as it has certainly helped raise public awareness of the dolphins’ plight. We also got to see Spix’s Night Monkeys at their tradition day-roost nearby, which was greatly enjoyed by all. We then booted it upriver, traveling through the night to guarantee a pre-dawn arrival at the mouth of the Rio Jau.

Sure enough, first light found us anchored at the confluence of the Jau with the Rio Negro. Here, the rivers had not dropped so much, and levels were only 2-3 feet lower than we had experienced a couple of weeks earlier. There were still no sandbars exposed, however, so there were good numbers of Large-billed and Yellow-billed terns around, waiting for them to become exposed so they could commence nesting activities in earnest. Both species of river dolphins were also present, the pink Amazon River Dolphins and also the smaller, gray Tucuxis. As the day dawned behind us, we drifted over to register our entrance into the national park at the floating dock headquarters. Waiting there, we were fortunate to pick up a singing Plumbeous Euphonia and a number of other, more common species. We then motored smoothly up the calm river, spotting a Sungrebe and seeing herons and cormorants and Green Ibis and kingfishers before making our first stop in “chavascal” woodland. This is a strange habitat in which a low diversity of tree species has evolved to survive the severe flooding cycle of these acidic, blackwater river systems, wherein the roots are well underwater for many months in succession. The few species that have evolved to make it here are present in high numbers, such that the density of trees is quite high, and the canopy height relatively uniform, and only about 15 meters tall. We racked up most of the species we were hoping for fairly efficiently, including Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Amazonian Antshrike, Cherrie’s Antwren, Yellow-crowned Manakin, Brown-headed Greenlet, and the still-undescribed, sister-species of Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant inhabiting chavascal and campina habitats west of the Rio Negro. Moving up the Jau that afternoon, we spotted a distant Orange-breasted Falcon, which we managed to see pretty well with the scopes. Our traditional owling excursion for that evening started muggily “slow” but kicked into gear bigtime as we threw the lights on both Rufous and White-winged potoos inside of half an hour, the latter cooperating nicely by coming in to the hoped-for snag we had picked out for it, then sitting for leisurely scope study. Back at the river, we pressed our luck with a swing around the margins of the Jau with spotlights, and, just as we were heading back to the Dorinha, we picked up the eyeshine of a Great Potoo high on a dead snag, with, amazingly, a Common Potoo on a snag just below it – thus, we scored a four-potoo evening!!

The next couple of afternoons were unseasonally rainy, which caused us to change our planned stop for an initial night near the first big rapids on the Jau. We would take advantage of the unusually high river level to advance father upriver than we had ever ventured, to reach a stream called “Miratucu”, where we expected to find a mix of chavascal and terra firme forest. We went spotlighting that evening, picking up another Common Potoo that stayed put on a stub just above eye-level as we drifted by in the canoes, but a thick fog and drizzle soon set in, and we had to call it quits. However, early morning on the Miratucu was beautiful. We tied up the canoes at a well-lit bend in the stream and, over the next hour or so, spotted a fine assortment of species along a chavascal/terra firme boundary, and also four Giant Otters. Back down to the rapids that evening, we planned to hit the trail at night, in hopes of finding a Nocturnal Curassow. We did hear one, far off, but it sang only sporadically and we weren’t able to get much closer to it.

It remained for us to transit out of the Jau and all the way down the Negro, to be in position for an important day of birding on the “whitewater” Rio Solimoes, which is the Brazilian name for the Amazon River before its confluence with the Negro. As expected the “furo”, or cut, through the narrow neck of land separating the Negro and the Solimoes, had plenty of water for us to make the passage easily, and we reached our hoped-for position near the upstream end of huge Marchantaria Island by dawn. Somewhat strangely, the landing areas we planned to bird were all complicated by the combination of the dropping river exposing steep banks and then recently exposed mud as well. Still, we managed to get around most obstacles well enough, and improvised a couple of stops to get some of the young-island specialties. Castelnau’s Antshrikes came in very close, providing superb views, and a nesting pair of Red-and-white Spinetails was also really neat. We had lunch over the “Meeting of the Waters”, where the Negro hits the Solimoes, the two forming the great Rio Amazonas. The scene was properly impressive. Rafael explained the dynamics of the meeting of these two massive, but very different rivers, which don’t mix thoroughly for some 400 kilometers downstream. The Amazon is extremely silty, allowing little sunlight penetration, so relatively cold, while the clear, “black” waters of the Rio Negro absorb lots of solar energy, and are thus warmer and less dense – not to mention much more acidic, due to the high concentration of tannins leached out of leaf litter and drained through sand. The “Encontro das Aguas” is indeed an amazing spot on our great planet Earth!

We anchored that evening off the main ferry dock at Manaus, where vehicles cross the Amazon to reach the Transamazon Highway and, eventually, all of southern Brazil. Rising early, we made our way across Manaus to the Ducke Reserve and the fairly new MUSA (Museum of the Amazon) tower. We enjoyed a productive final morning of birding up there, highlighted by a steady stream of parrots and toucans, and woodcreepers and tanagers. Views of the unbroken forest were gorgeous, but we were conscious of the near proximity of the largest city in the Amazon, only a few hundred yards away. That afternoon we made a swing through the public market near the main port of Manaus and then visited the beautiful Manaus Opera House downtown. Back on the Dorinha, we had a couple of hours to rest, clean up, and repack before our final dinner and leisurely transfer to the airport for the American Airlines flight to Miami, and points home.

Marcelo and I thank all of you very much for coming with Field Guides and us for two great weeks of birding in the central Amazon basin, mostly on the beautiful Rio Negro. Please come back for more birding in Brazil, you know where to find us! Marcelo will put together our bird and mammal list and get it out to you with some great imagery very shortly.

Com grandes abraços -- Bret and Marcelo

KEYS FOR THIS LISTOne of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDS

Tinamidae (Tinamous)

UNDULATED TINAMOU(Crypturellus undulatus)[*]

VARIEGATED TINAMOU(Crypturellus variegatus)[*]

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK(Dendrocygna autumnalis)– Many of these birds were seen during our morning at Marchantaria island.

MUSCOVY DUCK(Cairina moschata)

BRAZILIAN TEAL(Amazonetta brasiliensis)– Four birds seen flying over the Marchantaria island.

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)

VARIABLE CHACHALACA(Ortalis motmot)

MARAIL GUAN(Penelope marail)

NOCTURNAL CURASSOW(Nothocrax urumutum)– We heard a single bird calling during the night but unfortunately it was too far away and we could not get closer to it.

CRESTLESS CURASSOW(Mitu tomentosum)[*]

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT(Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Some of the nice moments we had during the first half of the tour. Video by guide Bret Whitney.

Anhingidae (Anhingas)

ANHINGA(Anhinga anhinga)

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON(Tigrisoma lineatum)

COCOI HERON(Ardea cocoi)

GREAT EGRET(Ardea alba)

SNOWY EGRET(Egretta thula)

CATTLE EGRET(Bubulcus ibis)

STRIATED HERON(Butorides striata)

CAPPED HERON(Pilherodius pileatus)– This nice looking Heron was seen once during a canoe trip on the Jaú river.

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

GREEN IBIS(Mesembrinibis cayennensis)

BUFF-NECKED IBIS(Theristicus caudatus)– A single bird flying over the Marchantaria island.

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

BLACK VULTURE(Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE(Cathartes aura)

LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE(Cathartes burrovianus)

GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE(Cathartes melambrotus)

KING VULTURE(Sarcoramphus papa)– Two adults seen on the way up to Jaú National Park.

HARPY EAGLE(Harpia harpyja)– We had great looks at the juvenile Harpy Eagle at Ducke Reserve. The bird was seen in the scope, sitting near to its nest.

BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE(Spizaetus melanoleucus)– Another nice raptor seen at Ducke Reserve, on the first morning of the tour.

BLACK-COLLARED HAWK(Busarellus nigricollis)

PLUMBEOUS KITE(Ictinia plumbea)

CRANE HAWK(Geranospiza caerulescens)

SAVANNA HAWK(Buteogallus meridionalis)

GREAT BLACK HAWK(Buteogallus urubitinga)

ROADSIDE HAWK(Rupornis magnirostris)

WHITE HAWK(Pseudastur albicollis)– Great looks at Tucumanduba road on our last morning at Pres. Figueiredo.

BLACK-FACED HAWK(Leucopternis melanops)[*]

GRAY-LINED HAWK(Buteo nitidus)

Harpy Eagle is the largest raptor of the New World. This juvenile was seen near its nest. PhoneSkope video by guide Marcelo Barreiros.

SHORT-TAILED HAWK(Buteo brachyurus)

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE(Laterallus exilis)[*]

GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL(Aramides cajaneus)

RUSSET-CROWNED CRAKE(Anurolimnas viridis)[*]

Heliornithidae (Finfoots)

SUNGREBE(Heliornis fulica)– Seen a few times in Jaú National Park.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

PIED LAPWING(Vanellus cayanus)

SOUTHERN LAPWING(Vanellus chilensis)

Jacanidae (Jacanas)

WATTLED JACANA(Jacana jacana)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

HUDSONIAN GODWIT(Limosa haemastica)

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER(Calidris fuscicollis)

SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE(Gallinago paraguaiae)

SPOTTED SANDPIPER(Actitis macularius)

SOLITARY SANDPIPER(Tringa solitaria)

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

YELLOW-BILLED TERN(Sternula superciliaris)

LARGE-BILLED TERN(Phaetusa simplex)– Common along the rivers.

The Chavascal is the very singular, seasonally flooded habitat, where birds such as the Brown-headed Greenlet live. Photo by participant Rick "The Walrus" Woodruff.

BLACK SKIMMER(Rynchops niger)

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON(Columba livia)

PALE-VENTED PIGEON(Patagioenas cayennensis)

SCALED PIGEON(Patagioenas speciosa)– Beautiful pigeon seen a few times during the tour.

PLUMBEOUS PIGEON(Patagioenas plumbea)

RUDDY PIGEON(Patagioenas subvinacea)

COMMON GROUND-DOVE(Columbina passerina)

RUDDY GROUND-DOVE(Columbina talpacoti)

WHITE-TIPPED DOVE(Leptotila verreauxi)

GRAY-FRONTED DOVE(Leptotila rufaxilla)

Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)

HOATZIN(Opisthocomus hoazin)– This is one of the most peculiar bird families in the world. These are leaf-eating birds that have a nice looking crest, and live near to the water. We saw a big flock on Marchantaria island.

TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL(Megascops watsonii)– On this tour, we had the great luck to see this little owl in a hole during the day.

CRESTED OWL(Lophostrix cristata)– What a bird! Seen really well on our first evening on the boat.

SPECTACLED OWL(Pulsatrix perspicillata)– Another great look at Anavilhanas National Park. The same pair of birds were seen two weeks before, and we also heard a young bird calling.

AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL(Glaucidium hardyi)

BLACK-BANDED OWL(Ciccaba huhula)– YES! This big owl is always tough to get! We had great looks at Presidente Figueiredo.

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK(Lurocalis semitorquatus)

BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK(Nyctiprogne leucopyga)

BLACKISH NIGHTJAR(Nyctipolus nigrescens)

COMMON PAURAQUE(Nyctidromus albicollis)

LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR(Hydropsalis climacocerca)– We saw a female incubating her egg at Marchantaria island.

This Rufous Nightjar was a great surprise on the tour! This is one of the adults that were sitting near to the chick at Mari-Mari Lodge. Photo by tour participant Roger Holmberg.

RUFOUS NIGHTJAR(Antrostomus rufus)– WOW! This is not a common bird around Manaus. Our friend Betão showed us an adult and its chick near the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock arena.

Nyctibiidae (Potoos)

GREAT POTOO(Nyctibius grandis)– Every evening out for night birds is unpredictable and sometimes amazing things happen! One night we were fortunate and saw four (!!!) Potoo species in the same night! Even better, we had the Great and the Common Potoo perched in the same tree!

COMMON POTOO(Nyctibius griseus)– Seen a few times during the tour.

WHITE-WINGED POTOO(Nyctibius leucopterus)– A little Potoo that lives high in the canopy! We had great look at Jaú National Park.

RUFOUS POTOO(Nyctibius bracteatus)– Ten minutes before the White-winged Potoo showed up, we had an adult Rufous Potoo on the same perch as the first tour, 15 days earlier.

Apodidae (Swifts)

CHAPMAN'S SWIFT(Chaetura chapmani)

SHORT-TAILED SWIFT(Chaetura brachyura)

BAND-RUMPED SWIFT(Chaetura spinicaudus)

GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT(Chaetura cinereiventris)

LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT(Panyptila cayennensis)

FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT(Tachornis squamata)

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

CRIMSON TOPAZ(Topaza pella)– One of the highlights of the tour! We saw two males hawking some bugs early in the morning in Pres. Figueiredo, for several minutes.

WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN(Florisuga mellivora)

STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT(Phaethornis bourcieri)

LONG-TAILED HERMIT(Phaethornis superciliosus)

STREAK-THROATED HERMIT(Phaethornis rupurumii)– Great looks on our first morning at Anavilhanas National Park.

REDDISH HERMIT(Phaethornis ruber)[*]

BLACK-EARED FAIRY(Heliothryx auritus)

GREEN-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT(Polytmus theresiae)

GREEN-THROATED MANGO(Anthracothorax viridigula)– This bird is only found on the white water islands.

BLUE-TAILED EMERALD(Chlorostilbon mellisugus)

BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE(Chlorestes notata)

GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING(Campylopterus largipennis)

FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH(Thalurania furcata)

VERSICOLORED EMERALD(Amazilia versicolor)

GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD(Amazilia fimbriata)

RUFOUS-THROATED SAPPHIRE(Hylocharis sapphirina)

WHITE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE(Hylocharis cyanus)

Trogonidae (Trogons)

BLACK-TAILED TROGON(Trogon melanurus)– Seen nicely from the towers.

GREEN-BACKED TROGON(Trogon viridis)

GUIANAN TROGON(Trogon violaceus)– A male seen very well from the ZF-2 INPA tower.

BLUE-CROWNED TROGON(Trogon curucui)

Two majestic male Crimson Topaz were seen hawking insects early in the morning at Cachoeira das Lajes private reserve. Photo by participant Roger Holmberg.

BLACK-THROATED TROGON(Trogon rufus)

Momotidae (Motmots)

AMAZONIAN MOTMOT(Momotus momota)[*]

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

RINGED KINGFISHER(Megaceryle torquata)

AMAZON KINGFISHER(Chloroceryle amazona)

GREEN KINGFISHER(Chloroceryle americana)

GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER(Chloroceryle inda)

AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER(Chloroceryle aenea)

Bucconidae (Puffbirds)

WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD(Notharchus hyperrhynchus)– Replaces Guianan Puffbird on the west of the Negro river.

GUIANAN PUFFBIRD(Notharchus macrorhynchos)– A Guianan shield endemic seen well from the ZF-2 INPA tower.

SHORT-TAILED PARROT(Graydidascalus brachyurus)– Hundreds of these loud birds were seen at Marchantaria island.

FESTIVE PARROT(Amazona festiva)

MEALY PARROT(Amazona farinosa)

ORANGE-WINGED PARROT(Amazona amazonica)

BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET(Forpus xanthopterygius)

RED-FAN PARROT(Deroptyus accipitrinus)– Stunning Parrot! Maybe be most beautiful one in the Neotropics! We had a few nice looks during the tour, especially from the towers.

PAINTED PARAKEET(Pyrrhura picta)

BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET(Eupsittula pertinax)

RED-BELLIED MACAW(Orthopsittaca manilatus)

BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW(Ara ararauna)

SCARLET MACAW(Ara macao)– A very large Parrot flying against the Amazonian canopy is a fantastic view! This is a kind of memory we have from the towers near to Manaus.

RED-AND-GREEN MACAW(Ara chloropterus)

CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW(Ara severus)

WHITE-EYED PARAKEET(Psittacara leucophthalmus)

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)

ASH-WINGED ANTWREN(Euchrepomis spodioptila)– During our last morning in Pres. Figueiredo, we had a nice flock moving on the forest edge, much lower than usual, for several minutes. Outstanding views of many good species, including this tiny Antwren. Impossible to be better!

Green Aracari is a Guianan Shield endemic that we saw visiting the açaí palm trees on the Mari-Mari Lodge grounds. Photo by participant Roger Holmberg.

FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE(Cymbilaimus lineatus)

BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE(Sakesphorus canadensis)

MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE(Thamnophilus murinus)

CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE(Thamnophilus cryptoleucus)– This is another island specialist only found in white water islands.

AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE(Thamnophilus amazonicus cinereiceps)– The subspecies "cinereiceps", only found on the north of the Amazon river, doesn't have a black cap as the others do.

PEARLY ANTSHRIKE(Megastictus margaritatus)

DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE(Thamnomanes ardesiacus)

CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE(Thamnomanes caesius)– Widespread over the Amazon, this bird is a nuclear species in the understory mixed species flocks.

RUFOUS-BELLIED ANTWREN(Isleria guttata)– Another Guianan Shield endemic well seen during the tour.

SPOT-WINGED ANTSHRIKE(Pygiptila stellaris)– Usually found with the flocks, an easily distinguished bird by its long bill and very short tail.

FULVOUS-THROATED ANTWREN(Epinecrophylla pyrrhonota)

PYGMY ANTWREN(Myrmotherula brachyura)

CHERRIE'S ANTWREN(Myrmotherula cherriei)

KLAGES'S ANTWREN(Myrmotherula klagesi)– Another great bird seen in the islands of the Anavilhanas NP.

WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN(Myrmotherula axillaris)

LONG-WINGED ANTWREN(Myrmotherula longipennis)

GRAY ANTWREN(Myrmotherula menetriesii)

LEADEN ANTWREN(Myrmotherula assimilis)– Tiny little bird found only in flooded forest, we saw these a few times, mainly following the understory mixed flocks.

SPOT-BACKED ANTWREN(Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus)

WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN(Formicivora grisea)– Widespread in the country, this bird is only found in dry forest over the Amazon. We saw it in a Campina forest, near Pres Figueiredo.

GUIANAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD(Hypocnemis cantator)

YELLOW-BROWED ANTBIRD(Hypocnemis hypoxantha)– Fancy little bird seen a couple of times at Jaú National Park.

DUSKY ANTBIRD(Cercomacroides tyrannina)

GRAY ANTBIRD(Cercomacra cinerascens)

ASH-BREASTED ANTBIRD(Myrmoborus lugubris)

BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD(Myrmoborus myotherinus ardesiacus)

BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD(Hypocnemoides melanopogon)

BLACK-HEADED ANTBIRD (HELLMAYR'S)(Percnostola rufifrons subcristata)

FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD(Myrmoderus ferrugineus)– One of the greatest birds of the tour, this antbird was seen very well at Cachoeira da Onça private reserve.

BLACK-THROATED ANTBIRD(Myrmophylax atrothorax)

WHITE-PLUMED ANTBIRD(Pithys albifrons)[*]

WHITE-CHEEKED ANTBIRD(Gymnopithys leucaspis)[*]

RUFOUS-THROATED ANTBIRD(Gymnopithys rufigula)[*]

CHESTNUT-CRESTED ANTBIRD(Rhegmatorhina cristata)– We found an army-ant swarm on the Jaú National Park trails and two of these birds were around but unfortunately, they did not respond very well to the tape and only participant Whitney was able to see the birds.

SPOT-BACKED ANTBIRD(Hylophylax naevius)[*]

COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD(Willisornis poecilinotus)

REDDISH-WINGED BARE-EYE(Phlegopsis erythroptera)[*]

A gorgeous full moon at Jaú National Park. Photo by participant Rick "The Walrus" Woodruff.

Grallariidae (Antpittas)

VARIEGATED ANTPITTA(Grallaria varia)[*]

Formicariidae (Antthrushes)

RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH(Formicarius colma)

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)

SPOT-THROATED WOODCREEPER(Certhiasomus stictolaemus)– A really hard bird to get. We had nice looks on a Terra-Firme trail at Jaú NP.

OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER(Sittasomus griseicapillus)

LONG-TAILED WOODCREEPER(Deconychura longicauda)

WHITE-CHINNED WOODCREEPER(Dendrocincla merula)

PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER(Dendrocincla fuliginosa)

WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER(Glyphorynchus spirurus)

LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER(Nasica longirostris)– This elegant bird may reach into some deep holes to catch insects using that long bill.

AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER(Dendrocolaptes certhia)

BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER(Dendrocolaptes picumnus)– A large woodcreeper seen very well on our last morning, from the Musa Tower.

RED-BILLED WOODCREEPER(Hylexetastes perrotii)– A huge woodcreeper, endemic of the Guianan Shield. We had amazing views at Ducke Reserve, on our very first morning of the tour.

STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER(Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus)[*]

STRIPED WOODCREEPER(Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)

CHESTNUT-RUMPED WOODCREEPER(Xiphorhynchus pardalotus)

OCELLATED WOODCREEPER(Xiphorhynchus ocellatus)– Common in the understory mixed species flocks at Jaú National Park.

BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER(Xiphorhynchus guttatus)

STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER(Dendroplex picus)

ZIMMER'S WOODCREEPER(Dendroplex kienerii)– This bird, only found in the Amazonian flooded forest, was considered a subspecies of Straight-billed Woodcreeper for many years, distinguished mainly by the color of its feet and voice, that was recorded for the first time only in 1993.

CURVE-BILLED SCYTHEBILL(Campylorhamphus procurvoides)– On the way back from the INPA ZF-2 tower, we had a huge flock, including birds in the understory and canopy together. This beautiful woodcreeper was seen a few times foraging with that flock for several minutes.

RED-AND-WHITE SPINETAIL(Certhiaxis mustelinus)– Great looks at a pair of birds near to their nest at Marchantaria.

WHITE-BELLIED SPINETAIL(Mazaria propinqua)

DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL(Synallaxis albigularis)

PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL(Synallaxis albescens)[*]

This year the açaí palm trees were completely full of berries and many birds came in to enjoy it, including this Purple-breasted Cotinga. This gorgeous male was seen around there many times. PhoneSkope video by guide Marcelo Barreiros.

OLIVE-GREEN TYRANNULET(Phylloscartes virescens)– It usually takes longer to get, even from the towers and maybe this was the best look we've had in many years! Two birds foraging with a flock 15 feet higher.

SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET(Zimmerius gracilipes)– That bird replaces Guianan Tyrannulet on the west of Negro river.

GUIANAN TYRANNULET(Zimmerius acer)

AMAZONIAN TYRANNULET(Inezia subflava)

SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT(Myiornis ecaudatus)

DOUBLE-BANDED PYGMY-TYRANT(Lophotriccus vitiosus)

SNETHLAGE'S TODY-TYRANT(Hemitriccus minor pallens)

TODY-TYRANT SP. (Hemitriccus sp. nov.?)– A sister species of Pelzeln's, this bird doesn't have a name yet!

WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT(Hemitriccus zosterops zosterops)[*]

WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT(Hemitriccus zosterops rothschildi)[*]

PELZELN'S TODY-TYRANT(Hemitriccus inornatus)– It's always a challenge to see this little guy in the canopy, but on this tour we probably had the best looks in many years. A very cooperative individual remained foraging for several minutes near to the group on a Campina trail at Mari-Mari Lodge.

RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER(Poecilotriccus latirostris)

SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER(Todirostrum maculatum)

This beautiful little Yellow-billed Jacamar was foraging near to the ground at Cachoeira da Onça private reserve. Photo by participant Roger Holmberg.

PAINTED TODY-FLYCATCHER(Todirostrum pictum)

YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER(Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)[*]

BROWNISH TWISTWING(Cnipodectes subbrunneus)[*]

YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (RIVERINE)(Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis)

YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER(Tolmomyias assimilis)[*]

GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER(Tolmomyias poliocephalus)

CINNAMON MANAKIN-TYRANT(Neopipo cinnamomea)[*]

WHITE-CRESTED SPADEBILL(Platyrinchus platyrhynchos)– Great looks at Jaú National Park.

RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER(Terenotriccus erythrurus)[*]

WHISKERED FLYCATCHER(Myiobius barbatus)

EULER'S FLYCATCHER(Lathrotriccus euleri)

FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (CAMPINA)(Cnemotriccus fuscatus duidae)– A special bird, only found in the Campina habitats over the Amazon forest.

FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS)(Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior)

RIVERSIDE TYRANT(Knipolegus orenocensis)

AMAZONIAN BLACK-TYRANT(Knipolegus poecilocercus)– A pair of birds were seen foraging during our morning at Igarapé Miratucu.

RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL(Ramphotrigon ruficauda)

BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA(Attila spadiceus)[*]

SIBILANT SIRYSTES(Sirystes sibilator)[*]

GRAYISH MOURNER(Rhytipterna simplex)

PALE-BELLIED MOURNER(Rhytipterna immunda)

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER(Myiarchus tuberculifer)

SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER(Myiarchus swainsoni phaeonotus)

SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER(Myiarchus ferox)

BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER(Myiarchus tyrannulus)

LESSER KISKADEE(Pitangus lictor)

GREAT KISKADEE(Pitangus sulphuratus)

BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER(Megarynchus pitangua)

RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER(Myiozetetes cayanensis)

SOCIAL FLYCATCHER(Myiozetetes similis)

YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER(Conopias parvus)

THREE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER(Conopias trivirgatus)

ISLAND STREAKED FLYCATCHER(Myiodynastes [maculatus] sp. nov.)– Usually seen on the white water island near to Manaus, we saw a single bird singing at theTropical Hotel grounds.

PIRATIC FLYCATCHER(Legatus leucophaius)

VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER(Empidonomus varius)

SULPHURY FLYCATCHER(Tyrannopsis sulphurea)– One of the four species closely related to the Moriche palm trees.

WHITE-THROATED KINGBIRD(Tyrannus albogularis)

TROPICAL KINGBIRD(Tyrannus melancholicus)

The group enjoying the birding at Ducke Reserve, north of Manaus. Photo by participant Gerard Tasset.

FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER(Tyrannus savana)

Cotingidae (Cotingas)

GUIANAN RED-COTINGA(Phoenicircus carnifex)– This beautiful bird doesn't lek in the same spot, like the Capuchinbird, for example, so it's not easy to find the adult males very often. We had great looks at Cachoeira da Onça private reserve.

BLACK-NECKED RED-COTINGA(Phoenicircus nigricollis)[*]

GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK(Rupicola rupicola)– Even if you visit their arena every year, it is impossible not to feel privileged to be there. Those beautiful orange birds look like flaming torches hanging on the vines.

CAPUCHINBIRD(Perissocephalus tricolor)– I do not know if it's better to hear or see this bird! The males do that weird sound all close each other for several minutes. Besides that, it's a big rufous bird with a bald blue head! Oh my god!

PURPLE-BREASTED COTINGA(Cotinga cotinga)– At least two adult males and some females were seen feeding on açaí palm trees at Mari-Mari lodge many times.

SPANGLED COTINGA(Cotinga cayana)

SCREAMING PIHA(Lipaugus vociferans)– The voice of the Amazon!

POMPADOUR COTINGA(Xipholena punicea)– It's wonderful to see the males flying over the canopy and even better when we have a fruiting tree near to the tower. Fantastic!

Pipridae (Manakins)

DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN(Tyranneutes stolzmanni)[*]

TINY TYRANT-MANAKIN(Tyranneutes virescens)– Replaces Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin on the east of Negro river.

SAFFRON-CRESTED TYRANT-MANAKIN(Neopelma chrysocephalum)

BLACK MANAKIN(Xenopipo atronitens)

BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN(Lepidothrix coronata)

WHITE-FRONTED MANAKIN(Lepidothrix serena)

YELLOW-CROWNED MANAKIN(Heterocercus flavivertex)

WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN(Pipra filicauda)– There's not enough words to describe how cool this bird is. We were very lucky to watch those males displaying!

WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN(Dixiphia pipra)

GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN(Ceratopipra erythrocephala)

WING-BARRED PIPRITES(Piprites chloris)

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)

BLACK-TAILED TITYRA(Tityra cayana)

VARZEA SCHIFFORNIS(Schiffornis major)[*]

BROWN-WINGED SCHIFFORNIS(Schiffornis turdina)[*]

DUSKY PURPLETUFT(Iodopleura fusca)– A very rare bird to see near Manaus because the edge of its range is just to the south. We got real nice looks in the Pres Figueiredo area.

CINEREOUS BECARD(Pachyramphus rufus)

CHESTNUT-CROWNED BECARD(Pachyramphus castaneus)

GLOSSY-BACKED BECARD(Pachyramphus surinamus)

PINK-THROATED BECARD(Pachyramphus minor)– One of the first birds we saw at Ducke Reserve; a pair of birds foraging with a mixed species flock.

Some nice images from the second half of the tour. Photos and videos by guide Bret Whitney.

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE(Cyclarhis gujanensis)

ASHY-HEADED GREENLET(Hylophilus pectoralis)

GRAY-CHESTED GREENLET(Hylophilus semicinereus)

BROWN-HEADED GREENLET(Hylophilus brunneiceps)

LEMON-CHESTED GREENLET(Hylophilus thoracicus)

SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO(Vireolanius leucotis)

DUSKY-CAPPED GREENLET(Pachysylvia hypoxantha)[*]

BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET(Pachysylvia muscicapina)– Replacing Dusky-capped Greenlet on the east bank of the Negro river, this bird is usually found with the canopy flocks and the best way to get it is from the tower, as we did at the ZF-2 INPA tower.

RED-EYED VIREO (RESIDENT CHIVI)(Vireo olivaceus solimoensis)

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BLACK-COLLARED SWALLOW(Pygochelidon melanoleuca)

WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW(Atticora tibialis)

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW(Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)

PURPLE MARTIN(Progne subis)

GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN(Progne chalybea)

SOUTHERN MARTIN(Progne elegans)

BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN(Progne tapera)

WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW(Tachycineta albiventer)

BANK SWALLOW(Riparia riparia)

BARN SWALLOW(Hirundo rustica)

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

WING-BANDED WREN(Microcerculus bambla)

HOUSE WREN(Troglodytes aedon)

CORAYA WREN(Pheugopedius coraya)

BUFF-BREASTED WREN(Cantorchilus leucotis)[*]

Few things are as good as being in the Amazon and having the chance to see and hear the Musician Wren. It's magical. Video by guide Bret Whitney.

MUSICIAN WREN(Cyphorhinus arada)– Our "friend" was there and did not disappoint us. It is a pleasure to see and hear such a cooperative individual for a few minutes on the same branch.

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)

COLLARED GNATWREN(Microbates collaris)[*]

LONG-BILLED GNATWREN(Ramphocaenus melanurus)

TROPICAL GNATCATCHER(Polioptila plumbea)

GUIANAN GNATCATCHER (RIO NEGRO)(Polioptila guianensis facilis)

Donacobiidae (Donacobius)

BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS(Donacobius atricapilla)

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

PALE-BREASTED THRUSH(Turdus leucomelas)

COCOA THRUSH(Turdus fumigatus)

HAUXWELL'S THRUSH(Turdus hauxwelli)

BLACK-BILLED THRUSH(Turdus ignobilis)

WHITE-NECKED THRUSH(Turdus albicollis)

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

MASKED YELLOWTHROAT(Geothlypis aequinoctialis)

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

RED-CAPPED CARDINAL(Paroaria gularis)

RED-BILLED PIED TANAGER(Lamprospiza melanoleuca)[*]

HOODED TANAGER(Nemosia pileata)

ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER(Thlypopsis sordida)– A pair of birds seen at Marchantaria island.

FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER(Tachyphonus cristatus)

FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER(Tachyphonus surinamus)

WHITE-LINED TANAGER(Tachyphonus rufus)

RED-SHOULDERED TANAGER(Tachyphonus phoenicius)

SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER(Ramphocelus carbo)

BLUE-GRAY TANAGER(Thraupis episcopus)

PALM TANAGER(Thraupis palmarum)

DOTTED TANAGER(Ixothraupis varia)[*]

SPOTTED TANAGER(Ixothraupis punctata)

TURQUOISE TANAGER(Tangara mexicana)

PARADISE TANAGER(Tangara chilensis)

OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER(Tangara velia)

BLACK-FACED DACNIS(Dacnis lineata)

YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS(Dacnis flaviventer)

BLUE DACNIS(Dacnis cayana)

PURPLE HONEYCREEPER(Cyanerpes caeruleus)

RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER(Cyanerpes cyaneus)– Seen well from the ZF-2 INPA tower.

GREEN HONEYCREEPER(Chlorophanes spiza)

GUIRA TANAGER(Hemithraupis guira)

YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER(Hemithraupis flavicollis)

BICOLORED CONEBILL(Conirostrum bicolor)

PEARLY-BREASTED CONEBILL(Conirostrum margaritae)– Another white water island specialist, this bird is only found in the Cecropia sp. forest.

CHESTNUT-VENTED CONEBILL(Conirostrum speciosum)

ORANGE-FRONTED YELLOW-FINCH(Sicalis columbiana)

BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT(Volatinia jacarina)

LINED SEEDEATER(Sporophila lineola)

CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER(Sporophila castaneiventris)

White-naped Seedeater was a highlight of the tour! A beautiful male entertained us by singing for several minutes. Photo by tour participant Roger Holmberg.

WHITE-NAPED SEEDEATER(Sporophila fringilloides)– We haven't seen this bird during the tour in many years. This year we got lucky and a male was singing spontaneous for us! We also saw a female in the same area. That was FANTASTIC!

BANANAQUIT(Coereba flaveola)

BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR(Saltator maximus)

GRAYISH SALTATOR(Saltator coerulescens)

SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK(Saltator grossus)[*]

Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)

YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW(Ammodramus aurifrons)

PECTORAL SPARROW(Arremon taciturnus)

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

YELLOW-GREEN GROSBEAK(Caryothraustes canadensis)

BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK(Cyanoloxia cyanoides)[*]

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK(Sturnella militaris)

GREEN OROPENDOLA(Psarocolius viridis)

CRESTED OROPENDOLA(Psarocolius decumanus)

SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE(Cacicus solitarius)

YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE(Cacicus cela)

RED-RUMPED CACIQUE(Cacicus haemorrhous)

EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE)(Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus)– Our friend Sibah showed us a pair of birds building a nest near to his house. Thanks a lot, Sibah!

SHINY COWBIRD(Molothrus bonariensis)

GIANT COWBIRD(Molothrus oryzivorus)

ORIOLE BLACKBIRD(Gymnomystax mexicanus)

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

PLUMBEOUS EUPHONIA(Euphonia plumbea)

GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA(Euphonia chrysopasta)

GOLDEN-SIDED EUPHONIA(Euphonia cayennensis)– A male seen from the ZF-2 INPA tower.

Here are some extras and outtakes captured by Bret Whitney during this very enjoyable tour.

GIANT OTTER(Pteronura brasiliensis)– A group of these majestic creatures seen at Jaú National Park.

JAGUARUNDI(Puma yagouaroundi)

JAGUAR(Panthera onca)– Lois saw it crossing the trail to access the tower at ZF-2 reserve.

Herps

SOUTH AMERICAN LANCEHEAD(Bothrops atrox)

BLACK CAIMAN(Melanosuchus niger)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Other nice animals seen during the tour were: Gladiator Tree-frog, Smoky Jungle Frog (Leptodactylus pentadactylus), Red-eyed Treehopper, a Coral Snake, Green Iguana, Cane Toad, a big bat using a termite mount to roosting during the day at Presidente Figueiredo.